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India Gazette
02-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
India will have to invest in a player to master the catching part in gully area says Sanjay Bangar
New Delhi [India] July 2 (ANI): Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar spoke about the importance of not dropping catches and said dropping chances makes the job of the bowling department much tougher. India dropped several catching opportunities throughout the opening Test against England, which conspired against them during their five-wicket defeat at Headingley. 'It's very important not to drop catches. It makes the job of the bowling department that much more tougher. But here I would say that this is also a fresh step forward for India. And wherever Yashasvi actually fields--basically, gully is a position in cricket which is a very, very specialised position,' JioHotstar expert Sanjay Bangar said while speaking on 'Follow The Blues'. India dropped as many as eight catching opportunities, which tipped the scales in England's favour. The eight dropped chances cost India a whopping 250 runs, a valuable tally that held the power to change the visitors' fate. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the prime offender with four dropped chances, followed by other top fielders. Bangar felt India would have to invest in a particular player to master the catching part in the gully area and praised former Indian skipper Anil Kumble, who did well in gully when he was playing. 'And that's where I think India will have to invest in a particular player to master the catching part in the gully area. I don't really remember too many great players who were consistently staying in the gully area. In my memory, Anil Kumble did that really well for India when he was playing,' he added. Bangar also highlighted the need to prioritise developing a skilled gully fielder, as this area sees a high volume of catches. He believed that the best fielder on the team should be positioned in the gully or in the wider slip cordon, such as the four-slip area. 'Ajinkya Rahane made that spot his own. But after that, there has to be a real focus on developing a good gully fielder. Because that's where a lot of catches go, and it's a position that should actually go to your best fielder. As we say that the point fielder has to be your best fielder. But your best catcher actually has to be slightly wider in the slip cordon--maybe that four-slip area or even the gully region. And that's where a lot of those catches go,' Bangar said. Ben Duckett's fiery 149, Joe Root's composed 53*, and Jamie Smith's swashbuckling 44* fuelled England's hunt to pull off a 371-run target at their favourite playground on Tuesday's final day of the Test. With this win, England go 1-0 up in the five-test match series. The second test between the two sides will be played on July 2 at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Sachin Tendulkar refuses to draw own captaincy parallel with Shubman Gill: ‘The less said about it, the better'
Sachin Tendulkar caught the imagination wherever he played, right when he started off as a baby-faced 16-year-old on his first Test tour of Pakistan. But in Leeds, and other parts of Yorkshire, they positively adore him. After all, in 1992, he became the first non-Yorkshire-born cricketer to represent the side in the English County Championship. Tendulkar didn't have a roaring stint, making one century and seven fifties in 16 games that fetched him 1,070 runs, but as a 19-year-old, he charmed audiences, sent membership numbers soaring and was quickly accepted as one of the 'locals'. A decade on, he made a magnificent 193 in the third of four Tests against England, one of the prime movers behind India's series-levelling innings victory in 2002. 'That time, the weather was completely different,' Tendulkar tells Hindustan Times from London, the voice coming through clear as crystal. 'Now it's scorching heat there (in Leeds) but that time I remember, before the Test, we couldn't even have proper practice sessions because it had rained. The game also didn't start on time, I think it started half an hour late or something like that because it was raining. And it was a damp pitch, a green-top. We won the toss and batted first…' That move by Sourav Ganguly baffled onlookers because everything cried out for a 'bowl-first' decision, but through Sanjay Bangar, Tendulkar, Ganguly himself and Player of the Match Rahul Dravid, India defied all predictions to post 628 for eight declared and troop out commanding victors. 'It was something that, as a team, we decided – to take up this challenge. We had gone in with two seamers (Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar) and Sanjay Bangar, and we played with two spinners – Harbhajan (Singh) and (Anil) Kumble. The decision to bat first was obviously a collective decision and we felt that okay, we will put up a total on the board and we will put pressure on them. We were able to do that, we were able to execute our plans and put a lot of pressure on them and beat them by an innings. It was possibly one of the sweetest victories ever for us.' India were shored up a 170-run second-wicket stand between Dravid and Bangar, after which Tendulkar and Dravid put on 150. India slammed the door on England's face when Tendulkar realised 249 for the fourth wicket in a powerhouse batting display that flattened Nasser Hussain's men. 'Rahul and Bangar had that crucial partnership, and then there was that partnership between me and Sourav. I had two big partnerships, one with Rahul and the other with Sourav,' Tendulkar recalls, then adds with a chuckle. 'On the second evening, the batters (himself and Ganguly) wanted to continue but the umpires said the light was too bad and we need to walk off! They took the third new ball. It was the only time in my career where the umpires said, 'We can't see the ball, we need to go away'!' India's five-Test series against England, beginning at Headingley on Friday, will be played for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, as the Pataudi Trophy has been rebranded. The move has raised hackles, displeasing many – including the great Sunil Gavaskar – about the legacy of the Pataudi family being tarnished. Having maintained a steadfast silence thus far, Tendulkar observes, 'It's a huge honour (that he is one half after whom the trophy has been named). When the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the ECB (Emirates Cricket Board) decided to retire his trophy, it was completely their decision, I think I was travelling somewhere. And then after a couple of months, I got this surprise that they have decided to name the trophy after me and (James) Anderson. My initial impression was that it was a nice way to recognise two players – one has played 24 years for the country, Test cricket, and the other one has played 21 years of Test cricket for his nation. I thought it was a good way to recognise that. 'I picked up the phone and I spoke to the Pataudi family. I told them about this and also in the same breath, I said that I have always respected my seniors and their contributions, and I will do everything possible to keep that legacy alive. 'Let me come back to you'. After that, I spoke to Mr Jay Shah (the ICC independent chair), the BCCI and the ECB. We had a few calls, I shared a few ideas and later on, they were all on the same page and they graciously accepted a few suggestions -- the outcome of that was very good. The Pataudi Medal of Excellence for the winning captain – it's a good match because he was known for his leadership. I felt by introducing this, we are keeping the legacy alive, which is important. I feel very happy about the outcome. The phone calls that I made ended up in a result that we have been able to keep the legacy alive.' There is excitement, but also a little trepidation, among Indian fans with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirements having plucked a chunk of experience out of the Test side, to be now led by Shubman Gill. 'There are going to be multiple challenges and it's something that everyone looks forward to because it's not going to be a smooth ride all the way in a five-Test series. There are going to be ups and downs, some challenging moments,' Tendulkar agrees, with a rider. 'But that is what all the players work hard for -- to prepare themselves for those difficult moments. I think the team has the firepower to counter whatever the England team is going to do. We have the experience also of players like KL Rahul, (Ravindra) Jadeja, (Jasprit) Bumrah... Rishabh (Pant) is experienced now, Shubman is experienced now. We have got these guys. We have Karun (Nair), who has been around. At the international level, he has tasted success and also played a lot of first-class cricket, county cricket here. Yashasvi (Jaiswal). All these guys are there. Sai Sudharsan has looked good. I feel we are very much there. It will be a close encounter.' In many ways, the Rohit-Kohli retirements spark a stroll down memory lane to 2012, when Dravid and VVS Laxman retired within months of each other, after India's tour of Australia and before the start of the home season, with a two-Test series against New Zealand. Tendulkar was still around then to oversee that period of change. Who does the Indian team look up to to reprise that role, one wonders. 'This transitional phase is there for us,' Tendulkar concurs. 'And along with those two (Rohit and Kohli), I would also add one more name, which is (Ravichandran) Ashwin, who also has retired. (But) I feel the players are capable of handling the pressure. This transitional period, it happens to all teams. This time, it is KL Rahul who is one of the senior most guys. There is Jadeja, Bumrah -- they will take that responsibility. Gautam (Gambhir, the head coach) is there to guide the team and overall, I feel that the guys, they are not coming straight into the Test team from the Under-19 team. They have been around. It's a nice blend. Karun, though he is coming back to the Test team, he has been around. He is 33, has a lot of experience. Not an absolute youngster as such, which kind of helps, you know. This is the phase where those kinds of cricketers will come and guide youngsters. It will surely help someone like Sai Sudharsan to have experienced players around them. I feel the players are talented. If they were not skilled, then one could have said it's worrying. But the players are skilled and I don't see it as a problem as such.' Tendulkar was first made India's captain when he was only 23, and one of his earliest assignments, a little over two months into the role, was leading the team on a three-Test tour of South Africa in December 1996. Gill, 25, starts his baptism by fire with this five-Test outing of England, but Tendulkar was swift in saying, 'I wouldn't compare the two eras because the way everything functioned at that point of time was completely different to the way it is functioning today. Multiple things happened during that period; the less we talk about that, the better it is. 'My message to him (Gill) would be to shut off from the outside world because there will be a lot of opinions. There will be a lot of discussions – was he being more aggressive or too defensive and all those kinds of things will happen. But he can't be thinking of what X, Y, Z is saying about what is happening. When you sit in the dressing room, you have plans and there is an end goal at the end of the Test match -- how do you get to the destination? They would have planned all those things. The outside world will say a lot of things. But he should not worry too much about that and do what is best for them to do in the interests of the team and the nation. So long as he knows that whatever decisions are being made, are being made in the interest of the team, interest of our country, then that is what matters. 'After that, if someone says that it was the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do, those opinions will only be opinions because only someone from this dressing-room can walk out on the field and play. No outsider can go out and play. The ones who are able to do that should not worry about what's happening outside. They should be focussed on a bigger responsibility, which is to go out and play and do well. Their focus should be on doing their job, more than anything else.'
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
History, records don't mean anything... need to play best cricket: Bangar's simple take on WTC final
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): Former India coach and cricketer Sanjay Bangar believes that South Africa and Australia can't take the World Test Championship final 'for granted' despite the impressive record they boast at the iconic Lord's. For Bangar, the only way to lift the mace will be to play their 'best cricket'. Since 1991, South Africa has lost just once at the 'Home of Cricket', won five and drawn a solitary match, boasting an impressive success ratio. Meanwhile, the defending champions, Australia, have churned out 18 wins from 40 matches, having a detailed view of how the conditions at the venue play out. Despite the impressive record that the WTC finalists are in possession of, Bangar doesn't believe the Proteas or the Baggy Greens will receive an edge over the other in the Ultimate Test, which is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday. 'I don't go by statistics and what has happened in the past. The thing is that there are multiple players, and a generation of players has now changed. There were the likes of Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis at one time. But now there is a new generation of South African cricketers. For them, it could be a part of the folklore, but if they have to win, they have to play good cricket. In sports, past history and records don't mean anything,' JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar told ANI in a media conference on the eve of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025. 'If you can go out and try to play your best cricket, ensure that most of your players perform on the given day. If the majority of your players are performing, then you place yourself in the best possible chance to win on that particular day. Both these teams, despite the very strong legacy that they have at this particular venue, they still can't take anything for granted and have to play their best cricket on the day,' he added. South Africa squad: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy. Australia squad: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann. Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett. (ANI)
India Today
10-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Karnataka cabinet reshuffle on cards after Bengaluru stampede incident
2:31 Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has said that Australia have no weak links in their team for the World Test Championship final 2025, while replying to a query from India Today's Rishabh Beniwal during a media interaction. He further said that South Africa will have to work extremely hard to come out on top in the all-important clash.
India Today
10-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
BJP celebrates 11 years of Modi government with exhibition in Uttar Pradesh
2:31 Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar has said that Australia have no weak links in their team for the World Test Championship final 2025, while replying to a query from India Today's Rishabh Beniwal during a media interaction. He further said that South Africa will have to work extremely hard to come out on top in the all-important clash.
